Examining the potential of VR program Tilt Brush in reducing anxiety

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Digital Health

Background:

• Virtual Reality (VR) technology is increasingly accessible and immersive.
• VR is underutilized in clinical psychology despite its potential.
• Freeform drawing is a therapeutic activity with potential benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the therapeutic benefits of VR for clinical psychology.
• To compare the flow and anxiety-reducing effects of drawing in VR versus real life.
• To examine the correlation between presence and flow in VR drawing.

Main Methods:

• A randomized-controlled trial with 40 participants.
• Participants engaged in freeform drawing either on paper or in VR (Tilt Brush).
• Measured state-trait anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), flow (Long Flow State Scale), and presence (iGroup Presence Questionnaire).

Main Results:

• No significant difference in overall flow levels between VR and real-life drawing groups.
• Flow levels positively correlated with presence experienced in the VR group (p < .01).
• Both groups showed decreased state anxiety; VR group showed a significant reduction (p < .01).

Conclusions:

• Drawing in VR can induce flow states comparable to traditional drawing.
• VR drawing demonstrates significant anxiety-reducing effects, particularly for state anxiety.
• VR holds promise as a therapeutic tool within clinical psychology.